Spreading fear

Tuesday

Apr 21, 2009 at 10:57 AMApr 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM

The Orange County Register

The Obama administration can't understand why so many people are angry at a new Department of Homeland Security report assessing the threat the nation supposedly faces from "right-wing" extremists. Of course, a nation this large is home to extremists and potentially violent people who subscribe to every sort of ideology, but the Homeland Security report paints with an extremely broad brush and epitomizes the tendency of governments to blur the lines between legitimate dissent and dangerous activity.

Although the department admits it "has no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence," it goes on to spread fear that such groups might be ready to engage in violence because of "the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn." The report explains that "Many right-wing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearms ownership and use." It raises the specter of hostility toward the new president because of his race.

We see little evidence of serious hostility to President Barack Obama because of his race. Americans have every right to oppose this and any other president's policies. The administration appears to be using such a report to delegitimize growing opposition to its particular policies.

The report singles out veterans and gunrights supporters as people who are likely candidates for recruiting by terrorist groups. The nation's founders, it might be noted, would fit the definition of right-wing extremists as crafted by the president and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Ms. Napolitano, in her statement defending this disturbing "right-wing extremist" report produced by her department, pledged her commitment to protecting the civil rights and liberties of Americans. But such liberties cannot be protected if federal authorities come to view legitimate political activities as the foundation of terrorist behavior. It's time for Americans of the right and left to come out against such government paranoia, whether it is fomented by a Republican administration or a Democratic one.